Planograph co



' C. B. STEELE.

CONVERT|BLE GAR. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1911. RENEWED MAR. 15, 1919.

1 ,308 ,5 1 1 E Patented July 1, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1,

Witwwoeo ca e. STEELE. I

. CONVERTIBLE CAR- APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, IQIT- RENEWED MAR-15.1919- Patented Jul 1', 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

i fill-ill lllllllllllllllllllllllllll UNITED STATES PATENT o IoE,

CHARLES BREW STERS'IEELE, (l'F NEVV YORK, N. Y.

CONVERTIBLE can.

To all whomc't may concern: a a

Be it known that I, CrIAnLEs BREWSTER STEELE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New York, in the county of New York andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Cars, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is a fully convertible passenger car that can be instantly transformed from a completely closedcar into a completely open car with the greatest ease and convenience, a single car thereby giving the service of two cars, the same canbeing thoroughly capable of continuous operation every day of the year, duringall seasons and conditions of climate, affording passengers comfort andprotection from the cold and inclement weather, and thecomfort and enjoyment of a completely open car during hot or aleasant weather.

Anot 1er object of my invention is that this car can be instantly and safely converted from a completely closedcar into a completely open car within a few moments, and reconverted, vice versa, by the conductor or passengers while the car is traveling at its highest rate of speed, so that should it be operating as an open car, and a sudden storm should arise, the car can be expeditiously and conveniently transformed into a closed car, and when the storm has subsided, can be instantly reconverted into an i open car, without interference with regular car schedule, service and operation.

Another object of my invention is the provision of counterbalancing the weight of the window sash, so that the windows can be raised and housed within the space between the roof and ceiling, or lowered to seal the windows, with ease and facility.

Another object of my invention is the provision of solid lower sashsections that form side wall panels of the car body when the windows are in closed position, and rise and fall as part of the window sash.

. Another object of my invention is the provision of ornamental movableopen work barriers provided with balustrades' that are raisable to a position to form arm rests and guards and shields for the lower portion of window openings, when the car is operating as an open summer car, not only subserving the purpose of preventing children and infirm passen ers from being thrown, or falling from t e car, but at the same time Specificationof Letters Patent. Patented July 1,1919, Application filed March 23, 1917, Serial No. 157,052. Renewed March 15,1919.

Serial No. 282,805.

permitting a free passage and circulation of air. p

Another object of my invention is the provision of openings of protracted elongations extending from the tops of thewindow frames to within a few inches of the car floor, thereby affording passengers the pleasure of a completely open carjwith unobstructed view, the short lower solid car walls protecting the feet, limbs, and clothing of passengers from dangerous protruk sion' and unpleasant exposure.

Another object of my invention isthe construction of a completely open carinstantly reconvertible into a completelycloser storm proof car that is entirely free from the dangers and inconvenience of the heretofore well known accidents due to typesof cars having running footboards, providing s1de ingress and egress, and unprotected fully described in the specification, designated 1n the appended claims, and illus' trated in the accompanying drawings (accurately drawn to scale) in which like characters represent like figures respectively. a

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a carhaving a vestibuled platform entrance and exit, showing window frames extending from the carlines to within a few inches of the car parts in the different the window sash, one window frame in open positionand protected the movable ad ustablebpenWOrk guard, disclosing a seat within the car.

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the car, show ing the extensive window frame openings,

terbalancing sash rollers and cables, and the curtain rollers, curtain grooves, and curtain shades, the opposite side disclosing dupli cate construction, with the window sash and cnrtainshades housed within the roof and ings and window sash, the'sliding solid side openings, all of which is hereinaftermore floor, hingedly connected sash therein, solid panels constituting the lower portion of the translucent and solid panel window sash in closed position in their adj oinin window frames, and the movable adjusta le openwork guard housed in its pocket, the sash guides within the roof and ceiling,the coun- W t find sti panel housed in its pocket beneath the win dow sill, and the movable adjustable openwork guard in its protective position. above its housing pocket.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section of the car upper framing, showing in detail the .upper portion of; the window sash, flush against the sash guide, and disclosing the springed slidable guide keeper, with the counterbalance rollerv cable.

Fig. 5 is an isometric perspective of the slidableguidekeeper, showing its body for attachment, to, the windowv sash, and raised flange. provided with its springing extension arm and; hole for attachment of'the counterbalancing, roller cable.

The numeral 1, represents acar provided buled v platforms having duplexingressand egress doorways, but any suitable type, sty;le, and. construction of car may be utilized,to embody,comprise, comr he dtw ine i d my i vent Wi departing from the .broad principle and spirit involved therein, the numerals, 2, and, 3, respectively representing ingress and egress doors, and, 4, the body. portion of the car.

The side walls, 5, are soconstructed that the window sills, 6,.arelocated a'few inches abovethedevel of the car floor, '7, from which sills, ,6, the. window frames, .8, extend to within ashort distance below theroof eaves. fllieupper glass sash, 9, 'issecured by the hinged connection,10, to, the middle glasssash, 1 1, that, in turn issecured by the hinged connection, 12, .to the lower" solid panel sash, 13, which sash,13, performs the additional function of providing v and constituting ,a solid panel portionofthe side walls-.ofthecar, whenthewindows are in closed position, thereby completely closing and renderingthe body of the car storm proof, curtains 0,, attached to the spring roll.- ers, Z), being complementarily movable. within the curtain grooves, 0, to shade the i11- terior of the car from sunlight and glare. The compoundglass and solid panel window sash ,are, conducted bytheguide, 16,

and thespring. keepers, 17, to raise into and between the. roof, 18,,and ceiling,,19, within the. sash-grooves, Z,in.the,windo.w posts, 0,

and the carlineaf, the ,windowsash being counterbalanced to, raise and lowerwith extreme easeand convenience ,by means of the spring roller,2.(),,and.cable,21, the cable, 21, being attached to the spring keeper, .17, which. is .fastened to.the window sash, the grooved guide, 22, rendering complementary. service: therefor.

When the ,windowsash. are thus raised into the ro,of, ;an extra. large aperture, 23, is provided, practically I opening the ,entire body of the car, thereby affording passengers the enjoyment of an enlarged and unobstructed view, and an expansive passage floor, 7, the lower section of the car side walls, 5, form a low solid barrier for protecting the feet, limbs, and clothing of passengers from the dangers of protrusion and the annoyance of exposure. A, movable adjustable guard, 24:, provided with a sill, 25, constitutes an openwork barrier to span the space left open when the window sash have been raised into position within the roof, and while thus guarding and protecting passengers from the dangers of accidentally falling or being thrown from the car, permits free passage and circulation of air through its ornamental openwork, and forms a comfortable arm rest. lVhen the window sash are in closed position to render the car storm and weather proof, the openwork guard, 24, rests within the pocket, 26, in the car framing, where afterbeing doposited,,it,remains conveniently and coinpaetly housed during the period that the car continues closed, but when the car, is again reconverted into an open car, by raising the window sash up into the roof space, the open work guard, 2a, is again drawn up out of the pocket, v26, to span the lower portion of the car, opening, '23, for the protection of passengers, which operations can be repeated, ad Zib'itmn, and vice versa.

In Fig. 5 is shown the keeper, 17, provided with a shoulder, 27, which is so recessed that the arm, 28, extending .approxi mately at right angles therefrom will reach beyond the sash line over the sash guide 16. The end of theshoulder, 28, is formed into .a spring arm, 29,.suitably constructed and tempered, which overlaps, bears, slides upon, ,and holds the window sash. to and in alinement with the sash guide, 16, and a hole in the .end thereof, or any other means, may be provided for attachment thereto of the counterbalancing cable, 21, which forms a flexible connection between the springrollor, 20, and the window sash 9,11, and 13.

The numerals, 30, and 31, represent passenger seats, located, respectively, beside an open space, 23, on one side .of the car, and beside the space, 23, on. the opposite side of the car that is shown to be closed by the window sash, 9, 11, and, 13, thus relatively designating. thelarge extent of, the opening, 23, and thelow drop of the window sill, 25, below the level of the car seats, to within a few inches of the car floor.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modification in which; the glassed window. sash, 32, are. lowthe openings, .38, but when the car is to be reconverted into an open car, the sash, 32,

are -raisecl up into 1the roof 1 space, a the solici panels, 36, 1 are lowered into their pockets, in

39, and the openwork guards, 8,4,2 are raised to span :andi protect the openingsaz 38, ,the nnmeralp 40, designating; !the; outer weather :1

sealing Walls of (the pockets, 35, and,"-4:1, lthe inner: ear Walls of: the? pockets,-in which, alternatively, 1 the panels; :36, andithe guards, 3 1, respectivelyreposea v w iThe value and usefulness 1 to i the public,

g the operating railWay-company,=and bitsem:

ployees, ot a car that practically, conveniently, 1 and e'conon'lically combines! within its? own unit of constructive entirety and operas tion, the elements, features, ands:qualificap; tions that enable it toybe instantaneously; and F fully; converted, transformedaancl meta? morphosed ,from ad-completely closed Weather and ,storm; proof oar, into a l com? pletely open O&I',I-Wll}l1l11 :awit'evw moments,

during its continuous service, and v Without interference ith, its operation; or; interruption of its schedule, 1S; I1Ill1l111t8d. 1 :TlllSl ear,

also, permits thenftilization oirany typeworm method for 111116 safe a ingressaancl egness of:

" passengers, and the employment ofvarious modifications of a construction ofi under, side, and top hammgwthata may be den-isirable to -O11fOI'HlhtOa/Ilyr general 1 or spe l cial requirements, Without departing from;

the broad principle, spirit, and scope of my invention, ancl'as itsielements, features ancli beneficial? advantages i snbserlve bllBg dOllblQ} purpose of produc ng, 111real1ty,ltvvo cars in one, a railway company 18 *enabled by its use,

to operate Withla single equipment of cars;

throughout its entiregsystem, all ,eonformingl o a l ngletsty eu ndl iden ity'iwit th resultant saving" 11in oost of rollin'g took, maintenance, "and operation; and i the, a fun;

7 nishing of an ideal service during; all seas sons, in place of, and in contradistinction to, h the heretofore; double equipment comprising, separate complements of, vvmter type, and summer type, cars. n a i lVhat 31 ,claim to vbe my invention, as

r inat n t p in int m d a e hemattrests and floor, members filling the openings flexibly attached to, one another all movable 16 e n t aelensa ed s quev 2. A car having a roof, all s, anl floor? ins, s a evet efieerin Win w 1 the hating,

;, 1, A car having a roof, ,vvlalls, and vfloor, Seats a ab ve th 1 01, 1 opemng 1 th w blygjoinecl to one another wholly fillingthe openings operatively, movable into theyroot in ielongateol sequent subordination to expose the openings.

seats above the flooring ,Windows in the alls terminating at i a point a :interm ecliate the seatrestswand; flooring, sash fillingithe Windows woonsistingwlofi jtranslueent and; opaque sections Ifiexibl-y attached to v one van otherand all movable in elongated sequent suborclinancy to expose or; \elose i the, WindOWiS. rura 1 V f ,5 -:A car having a roof, ceiling, Walls, and 1i ring, sea-tsab ovethe; fiooringgopenings in the Walls terminating at point: interln ediate the seat-rests and; flooring, sections hingeclitoi onjeianother filling thelxopcnings and all movable in elongated seqnentsnbora clinancyi withinl the roof and ceilingfto oompletely enpose the openings; in

A ear; having a floor, solid "Walls termiaat, amlevel shortlylaboii eithe floor, openings aboye the solid wallsg'members fills ing the openings movable to alternatively close, the openings or expose the interior of the car, barriers movably 1 adjustableI to I alternatively shield the openingsh N71,; oar having a floor, solid alls terminating at a level [shortly above the, floor, openings above the solid walla-members fill": ing theliopenings movableto alternatively, close the openings orexpose theinter-iorwof thecar, barriers, providecl vvith arm rests: to,

alternativelyshield, ,the openings. 1 1 y car having roof, Walls, and floor-v ing, seats above the floor aplurality of open ings; inthe alls terminating at a point intermediate the seatrrestsantl floor, a plural; ity oi sections including an opaque lower sectionfilling the openings, all sections being simultaneously movable in elongated sequent suborclinancy nncler cover -offlthei;roofwto completely eXposethe openings, or likewise movable in alternative, regression to{ com pletely close the openings. 9 AL car havingla roofing, flooring ancl sioles, Window openings in the sides having excessive elongation extending from a short listanoebeloiv the roof to a shortdistance above ,the, Ffiooring, ,seotional sash, flexibly connectetlayhollyfilling the excessively elongatcch indow openings movable into i the roof in elongated sequent subordination lQUAcarihaVinga roof, alls, and fiooring, a plurality of openings in 1 the alls, a plurality of members filling the openings provided With j translucent and; opaque sect ons, h nged to one another and all movable to alternatively close and Weather seal the openings or to expose, the interior of the car. A car having a roof, Walls,,ancl floor, ns, ph llal ty 1 f op n 7 t e w l af plurality of members filling the openings flooring between the uprights seotions flexii a '44s 1 lA car having a roof, alls, and flooring,

provided with translucent and an opaque lower section hinged to one another and movable to alternatively weather seal the openings or to expose the interior of the car.

12. A car having a roof, walls, and fiooring, a plurality of openings in the walls, members filling the openings provided with a plurality of translucent sections and an opaque lower section hinged to one another in sequent subordinancy and movable alternatively to expose the interior of the car or to close the openings.

13. A car having a roof and a floor, sides in approximate vertical rectangular plane joining the roof and floor, openings of large protracted elongation extensive in the sides from near the roof and terminating near the floor, straight plane sash wholly filling the large elongated openings in plane with the sides movable into the roof in elongated subordination to expose the openings, and means to counterbalance the weight of thesash during movement of the sash without and within the roof to expose or close the openings.

. 14s A car having a floor and a roof, walls positioned approximately at right angles to the floor and roof, openings in the walls, sectional sash filling the openings movable alternatively to expose the interior of the car or to weather seal the openings, and counterbalancing means to facilitate the movement of the members.

15. A car having a roof and floor, sides in approximate rectangular plane joining the roof and floor, excessively elongated openings-in the sides extensive from nearly beneath the roof to termination nearly above the floor, rectilineally planed sash in plane with the sides wholly filling the excessively elongated openings and movable into the roof in sequent subordination, and means counterbalancing the weight of the sash during operative movement of the sash into and out of the roof to expose or close the openings.

16. A car having a roof, floor, and walls, window openings in the walls, sash in the window-openings movable alternatively to expose or close the openings, sash guides, sash keepers attached to the sash provided with springy extensions for directing conformable movement of the sash with the sash guides.

17. A carhaving walls, window frame openings in the walls, counterbalanced window sash, sash guides, sash guide keepers provided with spring arms and counterbalance connections attached to the window sash filling the window frame openings movable to alternatively close the window frame openings or expose the interior of the car.

18. A car having a floor and roof, sides in rectangular plane to the floor and roof, protracted excessively elongated openings in the sides, -sash having protracted excessive elongation and plane rectilinearity in plane with the sides wholly filling the openings operatively movable intothe roof to expose the openings, conduits for the sash, means to guide the sash, means to retain the sash in conformity with the guide means, and means counterbalancing the weight of the sash during movement of the sash.

19. A car having a roof, walls, ceiling and floor, windows in the walls, sash filling the windows movable within the roof and ceiling to expose the windows, guides to conduct the sash, keepers provided with spring arms to retain the sash to the guides, counterbalancing means to facilitate the movement of the sash within and without the roof and ceiling to alternatively expose or close the windows. I

:20. A car having walls, window frame openings in the walls, pockets below the window frame openings, window sash filling the window frame openings movable to alternatively close the window frame openings or expose the interior of the car, and members movable to alternatively shield the window frame openings or rest within the pockets.

21. A car having a floor, walls above the floor, window frame openings in the walls, hingedly joined window sash provided with opaque sections in the window frame openings movable to alternatively close the window frame openings or expose the interior of the car, pockets in the walls. and adj ustable guards movable to alternatively shield thewindow frame openings when the interior of the car is exposed, or become housed in the pockets when the window frame openings are closed.

22. A car having a floor, walls, roof, and ceiling, window openings in the walls, members filling the window openings movable alternatively within the ceiling and roof to expose or close the window openings, pockets in the walls, guards in the pockets movable alternatively to shield the window openings or rest in the pockets.

23. A car having a floor, walls, roof, and ceiling, window openings in the walls, translucent and opaque members filling the window openings movable alternatively within the roof and ceiling to expose or close the window openings, pockets in the walls, guards in the pockets movable alternatively to shield the window openings or rest in the pockets; 7

24:. A convertible car having a body provided with walls, window openings in the Walls provided with sash movably operative to expose or to seal the window openings, guards movably operative to protect the window openings when the window open- Ings are unsealed. 11 1 25. A convertible"hhr havingabody provided" with walls, windowppenings in the walls provided with saslimovably operative to expose or to seal thewlndowj opemngs, barrlers provlded with arm rests movably operative to f protect unsealed window open- 1n w i l li 56. A convertible car havinga body provided with walls, window openings in] the walls provided era sash mommy operative to expose or to seal thek wmdow openlngs, barriers prov ded wlth arin rest sills movably operative-to "protect nsfealed vvindow openings. 1; a

sear ens window" bpenin" s, ct 1 the window openings movhousings.

guards provided with "arm rests "operatively movable without and*within' llousings,

29. convertible car having a body provided, withawalls; window; openings in the walls provided with transparent and opaque sash portions movably operative toexpose or to seal the window ope gs, guards movably operative to protect nsealed window openings.

301*A cenvrtitieer 'A tony Ti-o- *1 videol with walls and roofing, windoW"ophIiings in the walls provided with sectional sash operatively movable Within and with out separate housings for the exposure or the sealing of the window openings, barriers movably operative without andwithin housings for protecting unsealed window open- 31. A car having its roof, walls, and floor in approximate rectangular plane to one another, enlarged elongated window openings in the walls extensive in vertical length approximately five-sixths of the distance of the walls between the roof andfloor, members having rectilineal shape wholly filling the window openings movable from the square of the walls into the square of the roof in elongated sequent subordination to expose the openings, and means to counterbalance thefweight of the members movable into the roo 32. A convertible car having flooring, roofing, and walls, window openings in the walls, means sealing the window openings movably operative to unseal the Window openings, means exposing vision and air therethrough operatively movable in a direction away from the flooring to guard, un-

andb

having roo'f 1 sealed window openings and movably operatlVQ toward the fioormgi to unguard window o mags.

A convertible car provided withflooring, roofing, walls, and window! openings, operatlve means to seal the window openings, operative m ans toexpose the window hperiiiigsflneahis to counterbalance the means for; sealing and exposing] window openings,

ings;

-34. A convertible all provided with a body; a floor-for the body, passenger seats located on the fiOOl, inclosing walls having j opaiquesections terminating intermediate the floor andpassenger seats, a roof above the incloslng walls, protracted openings 1n the missing walls extending between the roof and opaque? sections 1 of the inclosing walls,

members for filling thefopenings movable ctions wexpose or seal the openings, s; inov ble to protect the openings th opeein ssre elesales.

tir havinga roo ceiling walls and igh ts extendingbetweenfthe floor roof dividingthe sidesof the carinto a plurality hff openings," members; filling the openings movable within the roof an ceiling-es apees the interiorofthecarlguards nanny adjus able to 1 protect the; openings. allS and ctangular floor that form an approxlinat waneeerniaaiagab a pnsesnteaneaiaa h eat-r s aedtha fleet r ts d vid n a ppenings are windows, carlines crewsarriers movable to guard or unguard the' protracted window openings.

38. A car having a roof, walls and floor,

seats above the floor, window openings in a the walls terminating at a point intermediate the seat-rests and the floor, means operatively movable to close or expose the window openings, means operatively movable to protect exposed window openings.

39. A car having flooring, sides, and roof: ing in rectangular plane one to another, window openings extensive of the sides approximately elongated from the roofing to ans to protect unsealed window openin the sides havin the flooring, sash having reetilineal shape wholly filling the openings movable into the roofing, means to counterbalance the weight of the sash, the sash of window openings of a side of the car overlapping in the roofing the sash of window openings of an opposite side of the car to expose window openings.

40. A car having roofing and flooring sides in approximate vertical rectangularity to the roof and flooring, window openings an extensive length of elongation approxlmately from the flooring to the roofing, sash having vertical straight planed surfaces wholly filling the window openings in vertical plane with the sides movable into the roof, the sash of Window openings on a side of the car overlapping in the roofing the sash of window opemngs of an opposite side of the car to expose. window openings. 7

41. A car having roofing and flooring, sides in approximate vertical rectangularity to the roofing and flooring, window openings inthe sides having length of elongation extensive approximately from theflooring to the roofing, sash having vertical straight planed surfaces wholly filling the window openings invertical plane with the sides movable into the roofing, the sash of window openings of each side of the car overlapping one another in the roofing toexpose the window openings. I Y a 42. A car having a fioor anda roof, seats on the floor, sldes 1n approximate vertical rectangularity to the roof and floor, window openings elongated extensive of the sides from nearly beneath the roof to a point intermediate the seat-rests and floor, sash having vertical straight plane surfaces wholly filling the openings in plane with the sides movable into the roof, the sash from each side of the car overlapping and passing one another in the roof when moved into the roof to expose window openings.

43(A car having flooring and roofing in horizontal plane, seats on the flooring, sides disposed in vertical rectangularity to the flooring and roofing, window openings extensively elongated in the sides from nearly beneath the roofing to a point terminating intermediate the seat-rests and flooring, conformably elongated sash having straight plane surfaces wholly filling the window openings in vertical plane with the sides and movable in sequent subordination from vertical to horizontal around the square of the two planes into the roofing, the sash of win- .d'ow openings of each side of the car passing beyond, the longitudinal vertical center lined the car when moved into the roof to expose window openings.

In testimony whereof I hereby afiix my signature in the presence of tWo witnesses.

CHARLES BREWSTER STEELE.

Witnesses:

C. M. STALEY, J. T. JoHNsoN.

Copies of this patent maybe obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents,

Washington, D. C. q 

